July 29, 2021 — ABB Specialty Vision Products, the specialty contact lens division of ABB Optical Group, has launched its first podcast/video series focused on the science and technology of specialty contact lenses and the techniques of successfully fitting specialty and scleral lenses. 

“Fitting specialty contact lenses is as much an art as it is a science,” says Dede Reyes, FCLSA, the host of the podcast and ABB’s professional education consultant. “Many of my colleagues and peers in the eyecare industry are also talented and creative artists. I’m very excited to share their stories, discuss their experience and knowledge about specialty lenses, and also dive into their artistic portfolios, ultimately providing viewers and listeners with a unique look into the world of specialty contact lens fitting.” 

The monthly series, “Dede Talks: The Art of Specialty Lenses” features different eyecare professionals with expertise in specialty lenses, as well as their additional talents and artistic mediums including painting, photography, culinary arts, and more.

The first two episodes are available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and SoundCloud: 

• Episode 1 features Karen Carrasquillo, O.D., discussing unusual scleral lens designs and features her calligraphy. 
• Episode 2 features Tom Arnold, O.D., and focuses on new scleral lens designs, how art is tied to the design of specialty contact lenses, and showcases some of Dr. Arnold’s photography.

Upcoming episodes include: 

• Episode 3 includes insights from Melissa Barnett, O.D., key opinion leader and scleral  lens expert, to discuss scleral lens fitting and instrumentation, along with showcasing a selection of Dr. Barnett’s photography. 
• In Episode 4, Mile Brujic, O.D., discusses the similarities of music and specialty contact lens design. Dr. Brujic, a guitarist and music enthusiast, will provide guests with a look into his vast guitar collection and play songs for the audience.
• Episode 5 features Christine Sindt, O.D., to listen to her experience with specialty lenses and pediatrics. The featured artwork for this episode will include paintings by ABB’s specialty lens consultant Sherre McMahon. 

To learn more or to tune in, visit abboptical.com/practitioner-resources/dedetalks.